2025 Honda Civic Debuts Promising Nearly 50 MPG and Sub-$30K Starting Price

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May 21, 2024

The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid isn’t all about efficiency: It’s torquier than the Si, too.

A few years ago, Honda revived the Insight nameplate for its compact hybrid sedan after discontinuing the old Civic Hybrid a decade ago. The Insight is now gone, and in its place a new Honda Civic Hybrid is back in the cards for the 2025 model year. Honda invited us out to take a look at its latest gas-electric offering, before we actually have the chance to drive it in the next few weeks (stay tuned for that!).

This time around, the Civic Hybrid, based on the eleventh-generation platform, comes in both sedan and hatchback variants. More broadly speaking, the 2025 Civic lineup has gotten a refresh throughout the standard (non-Si and Type R) lineup, including its trim structure. The base LX is still here, but there’s no EX or EX-L. Instead, options above the base model include the Sport — with each gas-only model packing the same 158-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder as before — then the Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid.

What’s under the hood?

The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid basically uses a slightly derated version of the powertrain available in the Accord Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid. To that end, you still get a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle engine, as well as a pair of electric motors. Combined, the hybrid models put out 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, making these the most powerful Civics below the 315-horsepower Type R. The Si, by comparison, puts out 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque.

While exact EPA figures aren’t available yet, Honda says the new Civic Hybrid will manage “nearly” 50 mpg, which puts it right in line with its chief rival, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid (which gets a combined 47 mpg).

Visual changes for the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid preview what’s coming with the rest of the lineup, as well. Fundamentally, the eleventh-gen model isn’t changing much, apart from a revised front fascia with a different lower front lip. Hybrid models specifically get color-matched trim pieces beneath the headlights, while Civic sedan models get darker taillights.

Inside, the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid models get an available gray interior color.

Sport Hybrid models add a dual-zone climate control, a sunroof and heated front seats to the equation, while Sport Touring Hybrid ups the feature list with a 12-speaker Bose stereo system and a larger 9.0-inch infotainment system with Google built-in and wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. The lesser LX, Sport and Sport Hybrid Civics still get a 7.0-inch display as standard fare.

Exact pricing on the 2025 Honda Civic lineup is still in the air, including the Hybrid models. Honda did announce just before this morning’s embargo that the Sport Hybrid will start under $30,000, but it’s unclear exactly how far we’re talking. We should know more before the first sedans arrive in June. If you’re wanting a hatchback Civic Hybrid, you’ll have to wait until a bit later in the summer to pick one up.

Eventually, Honda is aiming for Civic Hybrid models to account for 40% of the sales split in the coming years.

Lamborghini’s Huracán Successor Will Pack a Screaming 10,000 RPM, 800-Horsepower Twin-Turbo Hybrid V8

By

Zach Butler

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May 20, 2024

Lamborghini Huracan successor - V8 turbo engine — (Images: Lamborghini)

Lamborghini is keeping a V12 for its flagship, but the Huracán’s follow-up will downsize.

If you’re looking for a slice of that Italian V12 magic, Lamborghini’s Revuelto picks up the torch from the Aventador and keeps the dream of big, powerful engines alive. In recent weeks, both Aston Martin and Ferrari announced that they’re also carrying 12-cylinder models into another generation. But, in Lamborghini’s case, what about the popular V10 that powered the Gallardo and the Huracán? Surely, if the company can keep its V12 alive, it can do the same with two fewer cylinders? Well…no, as it turns out: The Huracán’s successor will indeed get a smaller engine with forced induction and an electric motor.

In fact, the yet-to-be-named model will pack a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. And while that sounds familiar to other VW Group offerings like the Porsche Cayenne or the new, hybridized Bentley Continental GT, Lamborghini says this is a bespoke engine specifically for the Huracán’s replacement. With two turbochargers and an electric motor backing it out, the so-called “634” engine will develop more than 800 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque. For context, that’s a healthy improvement on the 5.2-liter V10’s 631 horsepower and 441 lb-ft of torque at the end of the Huracán’s life cycle. It’s even pretty close to the Revuelto, and while Lambo’s larger flagship has this beat to some extent, this new model certainly won’t be a slouch, by any stretch.

Coupled to this new 4.0-liter hybrid V8 setup, Lamborghini will use an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (similar to what’s in the Revuelto), so this will offer up one more gear than the old Huracán. It also revs to a screaming 10,000 RPM, which might make this one of the best-sounding Lambos to ever hit the supercar scene.

We’ll learn much more about this Huracán successor later this year. With its arrival, we’ll see a completely hybridized range of Lamborghinis, as this car joins both the Revuelto and the Urus SE, which the company unveiled just last month.

Shakeup At Dodge and Ram Continues as Tim Kuniskis Announces Retirement

By

Zach Butler

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May 20, 2024

Dodge and Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis spent more than three decades with Stellantis and its forebears.

There’s been quite a bit of shakeup among all the brands under Stellantis’ umbrella over the years, and that continues as Tim Kuniskis will depart the company next week, after 32 years. While he’s well-known within the Dodge brand, particularly for spearheading the “Brotherhood of Muscle” initiative including the introduction of the Hellcat and Demon models, as well as reviving the Direct Connection sub-brand to bring aftermarket tuning to Dodge owners, he also took the helm at Ram in July 2023, after former brand CEO Mike Koval moved over to Mopar.

While Kuniskis stayed at Stellantis just long enough to see it enter its next, electified era, the swan song of his tenure is undoubtedly the 1,025-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. And that’s just the capstone for what’s been a monumental decade of bringing insane levels of power to the masses, from the original Hellcats to the original Demon and so many derivatives (including the superb 710-horsepower Durango Hellcat).

Moving forward, Chrysler brand CEO Christine Feuell will take on leadership of the Ram brand. As for Dodge, former sales operations leader Matt McAlear has been appointed as the brand’s new CEO. Of the two appointments, Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares said in a statement: “I want to take the opportunity to warmly thank Tim for his passion, commitment and contributions to Stellantis and in defining the vision of the future electrified Ram and Dodge brands. I am confident that Chris will continue the work of Tim in leading the iconic Ram brand. Matt will bring a fresh perspective, while continuing to draw on the heritage of our iconic Dodge brand and leading the transition of the brand toward a sustainable future.”

Kuniskis will officially leave Stellantis on June 1, with his successors set to step into their new roles the same day. The move comes amid a turbulent time for both the company and the industry as a whole, as each automaker tries to find their balance between electrifying their model lineup and bringing out the most appealing models for customers — namely hybrids or turbocharged gasoline cars — in the short-term.

Ask Nathan: Is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Worth the Wait and Are Rear Windows Overrated?

By

Nathan Adlen

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May 19, 2024

In this week’s post:

We (finally) about to get the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Hippy van in the USA – but is it worth the wait?
The Polestar 4 has no rear windows – and is it okay?

The first question comes from a Volkswagen ID.Buzz Hippy Van fan, who hates it when he’s called a “hippy.”

2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz - New and Classic hero shot

Q (AskNathan@TFL.com): Don’t call me a hippy, but I love the ID. Buzz van and I want to know if it’s worth the wait.

I work with your brother nearly Berkley, but I’m not a hippy! My partner and I own two EVs, a ID.4 and a Leaf + but we’re ready to upsize to something more accommodating. My partner prints tee shirts, but he’s not a hippy. It would be cool if we could get a cargo version to make his business more visual. Maybe a psychedelic wrap around it, but not like a hippy.

My question to you Mr. Nathan is if the Volkswagen ID.Buzz is worth the wait, or is there something better worth waiting for? Do you think it is something that will be an improvement over our ID.4’s operations systems? It can be a pain.

Thank you for not making fun of our hippy-ness!

Blessings!

– Kevin from San Rafael, CA

A: I am also looking forward to getting my hand on this van.

Unfortunately, we’re not getting the cargo van version of the Buzz. At least, not right away. The first units, which should be coming out within the next few months, will be 7-passenger vehicles. There is no word on the rear-drive, cargo-van coming here – yet. There will be a Pro S and Pro S Plus trims, but the first models will be the loaded-to-the-gills Launch Editions.

You can learn about the available trims here. Oh, and I promise not to make fun of the ID. Buzz Hippy Van, or you.

We’ve (Alex and Kase) have driven the European version of the van, while Tommy and I have had a look-around with static and concept versions of the ID.Buzz. There are a lot of quirks with this vehicle, and it still uses a lot of the same tech as the ID.4. Still, some of the frustrating operating systems have been improved, somewhat.

We are STILL waiting on official range, pricing and specific delivery dates on this vehicle. I can say, we expect decent range with the larger 91 kWh battery setup, over the 82 kWh battery currently used in the ID.4, despite the extra heft of the Buzz.

You mentioned using it for a work van, and I think it would definitely get attention. Just so you know, the rear seats cannot be removed from the van. You can flatten the two rear rows, having a flat surface to work with. Still, it’s not like minivans here that hav rear seats that fold into the floor, and that have removable seats.

Finally: you asked if there was anything else worth looking at. Nothing in this class looks as cool as the Buzz. So, no – there’s nothing the compares. With that being said, you might want to consider a Toyota Sienna hybrid minivan. It will hold more, get outstanding mileage, and they are available right now.

Hope that helps!

– N

The last question comes from a viewer who caught wind of Polestar’s removal of the rear glass, and they are not amused.

Q: (Via: NathanAdlen@X/Twitter) Roman, Nathan, Tommy and Andre! How can Volvo, Geely and Polestar be so STUPID!?

The first thing I did when I taught each one of my four kids to drive is to look over their shoulder. Even though they have backup cameras in their cars I had to make sure that they made sure the coast was clear. Only relying on cameras is a stupid and dangerous thing to do. And how is light supposed to get in with no rear glass?

Isn’t Volvo the “SAFETY” company? How is this safe or smart? Explain it to me like I’m 7 because I just don’t understand.

— XC6676_Bro

A: Honestly, I don’t get it either.

Polestar says it allows the designers make the unique shape, while being accommodating for rear passengers. When you look at the rear of the car, it sure looks like you could still include some glass back there.

Sorry my man, but I don’t have a solid reason this exists. I mean, what happens if the cameras are obscured, covered in show, or dust?

If you watch the video below, you’ll see Roman give you a fairly concise pre-embargo walkaround of the 2025 Polestar 4!

– N

My Car Is THE Most Reliable CHEAP Car on the Market: Here’s How It’s Handled 275,000 Miles!

By

Zach Butler

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May 17, 2024

Did you call this as a car that would last 300,000 miles?

As plentiful as the opportunities are to test brand new cars at our home base, there are plenty of folks out there who want to know how certain cars hold up over the years. That makes all the sense in the world, considering those who buy brand-new cars are dropping huge amounts of money on something that (rightfully) should last them many happy, trouble-free years.

Or, on the flip side, some others are like our good friend David, who definitely doesn’t want to blow the bank on $100,000 trucks, or indeed a similarly painful amount of money on a new SUV. So, instead, he’s been running around in a particular daily driver that’s been with the Morrow family for years, literally driving far enough to reach the moon and then back: a first-generation Ford Escape.

I bet you wouldn’t have guessed that — and given how much these vehicles got thrashed, I wouldn’t have either.

Nevertheless, as Tommy says in the video below, “this is perhaps the most reliable, cheapest and perhaps best cheap car on the market”. And for good reason: You can find these first-gen Escapes for under $3,000 all day long. And if you want a lower-mileage, probably less abused example, you can still get them for well under $7,000. That’s pretty damn cheap, considering today’s least expensive brand-new Escape will set you back at least $30,990.

Check out more on David’s ride below!

2025 Bentley Continental GT Teased with 771 Hybrid Horsepower

By

Zach Butler

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May 16, 2024

The long-running 6.0-liter W12 powertrain will give way to a hybrid V8 in the new Continental.

While some automakers are hanging on to huge, screaming V12s in their upcoming supercars (like Aston Martin and Ferrari), Bentley is bringing in a hybridized, twin-turbocharged version of its 4.0-liter V8 to make this fourth-generation Continental GT the most powerful yet, while also offering some EV-only capability.

In fact, the company announced Thursday that the 2025 Continental GT will pack 771 horsepower under the hood, as well as 737 lb-ft of torque. That is a pretty healthy bump, as the last model maxed out at 650 horsepower and 665 lb-ft of torque. Bentley also says the new Continental GT should manage up to 50 miles on a charge (albeit, using the optimistic WLTP protocol).

This new model will fully debut next month.

Other technical details are thin for the time being. The next-generation Continental GT will still get an all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring as well as rear-wheel steering, an electronic limited-slip differential, 48-volt electric active anti-roll control and new “advanced dual-valve dampers”, the company said in its statement. We don’t yet know how much this new Bentley weighs, which could be a major consideration considering the electric motor and battery pack onboard, or exact performance specs beyond the GT’s power output.

On the styling front, it appears the 2025 Bentley Continental GT will look fairly similar to the outgoing version. It does appear the relatively old-school dual lights at the front are out, though you still get a huge grille, large intakes and wide rear haunches that give the car plenty of presence.

Pricing for this new Continental GT is also a mystery, but it certainly won’t be what most people call affordable. The 2024 model started at $267,000 for the non-hybrid V8, with the W12 running upwards of $350,000 or more. I don’t suspect this one will be any less expensive, so don’t be too surprised if the entry-level price winds up somewhere in the $300,000 ball park.

Alfa Romeo Says Goodbye to Quadrifoglio As We Know It With the 2024 Giulia, Stelvio Super Sport

By

Zach Butler

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May 15, 2024

2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio Super Sports - hero shot — (Images: Stellantis | Alfa Romeo)

This pair of 505-horsepower Quadrifoglio models will be the last for the current generation.

They’ve been around for a few years now, but the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio still offer plenty of flair and power in their Quadrifoglio forms, thanks to their Ferrari-inspired 690T 2.9-liter twin-turocharged V6 engines. After rolling out the 100th Anniversary models last year, we’re now getting what will be the last examples of the four-leaf clover as we currently know it. The 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Super Sport and its Giulia sedan counterpart will end the performance model’s run with internal combustion engines, as the brand transitions toward a fully electric future in the coming years.

Under the hood, the star of the show is still that 505 horsepower powertrain with 443 lb-ft of torque. While the engine does draw its heritage from the same engineer who designed the Ferrari F154, Gianluca Pivetti (a Ferrari/Maserati veteran who is now working for Renault’s Alpine sports car division), this is technically a bespoke engine, rather than the F154 with two cylinders lopped off. All-wheel drive is still standard fare for the Stelvio while the Giulia strictly sends power to the rear wheels, though both use an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Other special touches for the Super Sport models include blacked-out Quadrifoglio badging, carbon fiber accents on the grille and the mirror caps, black-painted Brembo calipers and dark-finish five spoke wheels that measure out to 21 inches on the Stelvio and 19 inches on the Giulia. Perhaps you spotted a trend throughout these two cars.

The interior doesn’t get an all-black treatment. Instead, you get red accents throughout the interior including the center console, instrument panel and door cards, as well as embroidered headrests and an Alcantara and leather wrapped steering wheel with carbon fiber accents. The 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport is available in three colors — Rosso Etna, Nero Vulcano and Bianco Alfa — while the Stelvio is only available in the first two shades. Giulia buyers can get an exposed carbon fiber roof, while those who opt for the Stelvio can get a dual-pane sunroof as an option.

If you want either one of these Quadrifoglio Super Sport models, you’ll have to act quickly. Just 275 Giulias will be available worldwide, with 72 of those coming to the United States. The Stelvio gets an even more limited run, with 175 units for the whole world, and 52 for the U.S.

Pricing for the 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport starts at $88,365 including Alfa’s $1,595 destination charge. That’s about $5,400 more than the standard top-end Giulia, though the Stelvio represents a bigger price hike. If you opt for the Stelvio instead, you’ll have to pay at least $95,965, or $7,000 above and beyond your usual Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

Orders for both cars are open now, with deliveries slated for the fall.

Updated 2025 Kia EV6 Debuts with a Fresh Face and a Bigger Battery

By

Nathan Adlen

-

May 15, 2024

The 2025 Kia EV6 will get an EV9-like exterior update and a fresh interior.

We will be seeing changes with the 2025 Kia EV6 in the next few months. Like its cousin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the EV6 is a representation of the sportier side of Korean EVs. The exterior changes are somewhat subtle. The headlights and taillights look very similar to the flagship EV9, but in a more esthetically pleasing package. That’s not up for debate…it just is. There is a new bumper design, but the new look is dominated by the new lighting design. The new 19, and 20-inch wheels help complete the new exterior changes.

Kia has included the EV6 GT-Line with those changes, but we have yet to hear about the GT. We can assume that they will all benefit from the updated interior. The main changes are the new three-spoke steering wheel, 12-inch heads-up display and digital rearview mirror. There are a few of the interior plastics have been updated. In addition, other trim pieces get a slight redesign as well.

Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay are wireless, and OTA (over the air) updates are now possible.

It’s what’s going on underneath that make this update notable

Kia has beefed up the B-pillar in order to make the structure more rigid. Back seat passengers benefit by new side-impact airbags too. According to Kia, the ride has been improved with a revamped suspension. Interior noise has been lessened with the muffling of the electric motors.

The big news is the battery. The former battery (77.4-kWh), which was good for up to 295 miles is being retired. The new battery is an 84-kWh unit, which is supposed to give the EV6 up to 307 miles range – in rear-wheel drive form. Despite the battery size difference, Kia says it can charge from 10-80% state-of-charge in 18 minutes, at a rate of up to 350 kW.

There is no word on pricing, or exact release dates. The 2025 Kia EV6 will go on sale in Korea next month. We expect to see the vehicle in our market shortly afterward, so keep an eye out for it around late summer or fall 2024.

The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid isn’t all about efficiency: It’s torquier than the Si, too.

What’s under the hood?

Inside, the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid models get an available gray interior color.

Lamborghini is keeping a V12 for its flagship, but the Huracán’s follow-up will downsize.

Dodge and Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis spent more than three decades with Stellantis and its forebears.

In this week’s post:

Q (AskNathan@TFL.com): Don’t call me a hippy, but I love the ID. Buzz van and I want to know if it’s worth the wait.

A: I am also looking forward to getting my hand on this van.

Q: (Via: NathanAdlen@X/Twitter) Roman, Nathan, Tommy and Andre! How can Volvo, Geely and Polestar be so STUPID!?

A: Honestly, I don’t get it either.

Did you call this as a car that would last 300,000 miles?

The long-running 6.0-liter W12 powertrain will give way to a hybrid V8 in the new Continental.

This pair of 505-horsepower Quadrifoglio models will be the last for the current generation.

The 2025 Kia EV6 will get an EV9-like exterior update and a fresh interior.

It’s what’s going on underneath that make this update notable

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